The state Barisan Nasional (BN) chairperson said that calling for an earlier state election was ridiculous, particularly during economic downturn and uncertainties.

“All governments of the world will say economic uncertainties are not the right atmosphere to call for an election.

“If someone else has a different formula, probably he does not know about economics,” he told reporters after receiving Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abang Muhammad Abang Salahuddin on his return from Kuala Lumpur at the Kuching International Airport here today.

Taib, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president, was asked to comment on whether the state government would call for early state election.

Sarawak had its state elections in May 2006 and the next election is due in 2011.

Last month, Sarawak PKR deputy chairman Wan Zainal Abidin Wan Sanusi predicted that the 10th state election would be held by middle of next year, following the latest political development in the state which saw Ngemah state assemblyman Gabriel Adit Demong and former Sri Aman Member of Parliament Jimmy Donald, together with almost 12,000 supporters, joining PKR.

Last week, PKR vice-president Azmin Ali said PKR was focused on wresting Sarawak from BN in the next state election which expected to be held in the second quarter of next year, and that all PKR MPs and assemblymen would be in Sarawak from the second week of this month to “do battle” to win the state. — Bernama